Naga Christian leaders across denominational lines from Dimapur and Kohima endorse the mediating role played by the NBCC.
The ongoing crisis has revealed the truth about how we can limit and destroy ourselves. What needs to be done to match this perilous moment by the people, and our leaders in particular, has become clear.
All of us in our different ways have produced the eyeball-to-eyeball situation of deadlock. The stoutly defended positions of the opposing sides stand on the fragile foundation of our changing society made up of all of us. The confrontation is capable of producing consequences no group should bring upon the Naga people. At the moment we cannot find a solution without allowing God to come in to show us a constructive way forward. Therefore, on behalf of Christians in Nagaland, we appeal to the Government and the NTAC/JCC not to act against the dictates of your God-given conscience.
The harsh searchlight has fallen on our leaders who are at the centre of the raging storm. The people’s prayer to God and their appeal to their leaders at this time of extreme danger is that they will choose to be guided by their conscience to do what is ethically right. Anything less will prove inadequate to solve the present crisis and restore peace for our society.
For this we urge all sides to tone down their rhetorical positions and justifications so that the current tensions may de-escalate and allow space for creative interventions and dialogue.
To the Chief Minister, the Cabinet and elected representatives of the Nagaland State Assembly, we applaud the call for dialogue on core issues between all the stakeholders. As a first step towards any dialogue, concrete and creative steps need to be taken to reduce public distrust on the government. Dear Chief Minister, as the head of the government, we therefore, urge you to demonstrate able-leadership by exercising your moral judgement and acting on your conscience to do what is right and needed at this juncture to avert violence, and pave the way for genuine dialogue.
To the leaders of organizations who are leading the resistance against the faulty process and imposition of policies made without the Naga peoples’ informed consent, we implore you to resist from any form of violent confrontation, because violence will only yield more violence. In honour of the precious lives lost and to prevent further damage of the Naga moral fibre, we urge you to once more explore the path of peaceful dialogue.
To fellow Nagas, our traditional ethos and customary law are centred on values of justice, equality, respect and liberty. Let us seize this moment of extreme crisis as an opportunity to exercise Naga values to respect and uphold women rights. This is an opportunity to re-examine old models and practices, and together, through a people’s dialogue and consultation begin the tedious democratic process of creating inclusive and empowering models in which Naga women, men and youth can respectfully participate and decide the course of our common future.
Dear Nagas, if wisdom and conscience is allowed to prevail over all short-term considerations and self-interests, this will be the finest hour for our leaders and all Nagas.
We impress upon all Christians in Nagaland to pray for peace and constructive dialogue to take place among the Nagas.
